f hole question
 

With my bass lying on its side, is it inadvisable to use the f hole as support to pick it up out of its case/put it into the case (soft case)? Using the round part at the lower end of the f hole along with support on the neck with the other hand, does it put too much stress on the top? Or does anyone have any better way of handling the instrument?

I would not advise that. The top can be very thin. It's best to grab it with one hand on the neck and the other on the C-bout. That's easier if you have violin corners, but if your bass has gamba corners, you can gradually rotate it up by the neck until it's easier to hold by the bouts.

+1 to the above technique. I would not make lifting your bass by the f-hole a habit.

THE F HOLE IS NOT A HANDLE! Just lift the bass from the c bout with one hand and the neck. To get the bass in and out of the bag I hold the bass upright with one hand and drape the bag over the bass with the other hand. Zip it closed. Then move along.

All good advice. The endpin is suitable for use as a handle...

I pick mine up through the f hole once in a while if it's tough to grab it any other way.
But I do make sure the force is always towards the side of the bass, lifting straight up
while the bass is on it's side. Never lifting up while the bass is on it's back.

It is quite a reach for me to grab it by the neck and endpin.

One thing you might do, is reach under the strings to the lower opposite side and grab it
by the inner part of the C. That is also a pretty good way to carry it up steps, out of the
case.

I never thought twice about grabbing my ply bass by the F-Hole, but I wouldn't do it with a carved top.

I appreciate all of the advice! Fortunately I haven't damaged anything by my ignorance (as far as I can tell). I should have asked sooner!